A 2-day transverse circuit of the central belt of the underrated Howgill fells, a trip that produced superb turbulent skies and clear views in the blustery autumnal weather stream. Our pitch in the Lakes a few days ago gave us a fine sunset, this time it was the turn of the sunrise to turn the eastern sky into fiery red ribbons of colour, but for my eyes only: this was a solo trip.
I conceived the route at the last minute and the idea came from perusing our Memory-Map file of the Dewey 500m hills: there were six new tops to be visited in the Howgills, and climbing them all would lead me into plenty of new territory to explore. It would also be good fitness training, some of the route running East-West across the range and traversing the steep sided valleys.
On the LaserComp I’m going to extend the two end loops for the damned pole hood, having failed to thread the cords this time.
11 Comments
You need my pole hood cover modification: http://blogpackinglight.wordpress.com/2008/08/13/laser-comp-mods/ it’s easy to use if you fit lineloks, just pop over to Bob and Rose’s emporium for some: http://www.backpackinglight.co.uk/product270.asp
That’s a really unusual approach to the Howgills - can’t say that I’ve seen them done from that side before - very interesting, looked to be a good trip out. One that I’ll make a mental note of for the future perhaps.
With the pole hood perhaps you need some Line-loks? That’s one of the mods on Blogpackinglight I think.
Ah yes thank you, now I remember:- your guyline mods etc. stuck in my mind but I forgot about the pole hood mod (probably because my first thought was how to do away with it entirely).
That looks just the job, I’ll get on it next week.
Robin beat me to it!! I think Cleats.co.uk & Team IO also sell them.
Thanks Phil, I’ll get the blighter sorted now!.
I’ve never seen or heard of any approaches from the eastern side, and not surprisingly it was deserted, pathless and quite charming - another benefit from an occasional peak-bag of lesser tops.
You seem so busy hiking I am sure you are full time at it :). A good walk and again a great sunset.
Martin,
That’s the way it ought to be!. Yes, a grand walk, this can be a really rewarding time of year for both walking and photos.
Glorious pictures of a superb route, thank you. I keep telling myself I must get over to the Howgills but I haven’t even scratched the surface of the fells on our doorstep so it will be a while yet. Doesn’t look like you saw a soul the whole walk?
Jayne,
Thanks very much, the air clarity in this weather helps a lot with photos. Altogether I met only a handful of people on this trip: most walkers are concentrated on the Southern Sedbergh side around The Calf and Cautley Spout paths.
Hi Geoff,
Thanks for the Howgills trek and superb photos. Its one of my favourite walking areas both day walks and in a tent. I’ve done it all, every ridge, valley etc and never get tired of it. The northern approaches give some of the wilder aspects and no problems for parking on day walks. I’ve had snooty comments when leaving my car in the Sedbergh area though.
Your comments on the Original Mountain Marathon on your Langdale walk were interesting. I was there the day before they started. I was battened down in Glencoyne Head getting a severe battering in 60+mph winds. Wed night and all Thu were the worst. My planned route had to be abandoned as I couldn’t even stand up and almost got blown over the edge when I had to go out for the morning ‘comfort break’. My trusty Aztec Esquina Solo tent stood up brilliantly and was literally flattened to the deck on several occasions. All fabric and ties survived but the 3 poles are a write off. Each length has at least 2 severely bent sections. I have a few spare bits around and reckon I can just replace/repair the sections. Though that’ll be it as any more bent polls and the tents a gonner.
Boyd.
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Boyd,
Thanks very much, a great area as you say.
At the time of those storms I was glad not to be pitched up there in the LaserComp, even in a relatively sheltered spot part way up, although it would have been interesting to see how it fared. I’ve seen that Aztec tent on the web but not in the flesh, even a semi-geo will suffer some way in winds like that and the usual result is bent poles, as happened to us on one occasion.